SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

About SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

SpeakersU Podcast host James Taylor brings you weekly speaker training, interviews and public speaking tips. You'll learn strategies on how to launch and grow your professional speaking business. The SpeakersU Podcast will teach you how to become a better public speaker and ways to get booked to travel the world as a highly-paid keynote speaker. You'll go behind-the-scenes as innovation keynote speaker, creativity expert and speaking business coach James Taylor travels the world speaking at global conferences and interviewing top leadership speakers, business speakers and speaker bureaus. Subjects covered in the SpeakersU Podcast include how to become a top keynote speaker, motivational speaker or public speaker, working with speaking bureaus, how to make money speaking, speaker marketing automation, selling your speaking, joining speakers associations, improving your communication skills, presentation training basics, and how to become a successful professional speaker.

Publisher

James Taylor - Keynote Speaker

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jan 2019

Latest episode

12 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

157 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Dec 2025

   Top Tools for Professional Speakers – The Tech Stack That Powers a Modern Speaking Business #SUP213

   In this highly practical episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni share the essential tools they use every day to run successful, scalable speaking businesses. From payments and scheduling to CRM systems, international banking, SEO, video production, writing, and travel management, this episode delivers a full behind-the-scenes tour of a modern professional speaker's tech stack. Maria reveals how she automates coaching bookings end-to-end using Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom, plus the browser tools she relies on for productivity, documentation, and client management. James shares the marketing, SEO, video, writing, and travel tools that power his global keynote career including Kajabi, SEMrush, Ecamm Live, Scrivener, eSpeakers, and TripIt Pro. If you want to save time, increase your efficiency, improve your marketing, streamline your finances, and stay sane on the road, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways Automate your bookings and payments to remove admin friction using Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom. Choose your ecosystem wisely with an all-in-one platform like Google Workspace or a diversified stack for redundancy. Kajabi is a powerhouse for speakers running courses, memberships, websites, and email marketing in one place. Scribe creates instant SOPs by recording your screen and auto-generating training documentation. Wise saves thousands in international banking fees for globally travelling speakers. eSpeakers simplifies lead tracking, contracts, and inquiry management for professional speakers. TextExpander massively boosts productivity with smart text shortcuts across all devices. Scrivener is ideal for long-form writing including books and keynote research. Pipedrive offers a clean, mobile-friendly CRM with real-time proposal tracking. TripIt Pro is a game-changer for global travel management with live itinerary updates and travel analytics. SEMrush reveals keyword gaps and competitive SEO strategy for authority positioning. Ecamm Live enables professional virtual keynotes and multi-camera live broadcasting. Memorable Quotes "Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, and Zoom all talking to each other changed my life." – Maria Franzoni "Why are we paying five different companies when one system can do most of it?" – James Taylor "Scribe builds your SOPs while you work. It's magic." – Maria Franzoni "Wise saved me an absolute fortune in international bank charges." – Maria Franzoni "If you want to rank number one in your topic, you have to invest in SEO tools." – James Taylor "TextExpander gives you your time back in the smallest, smartest way." – Maria Franzoni "TripIt Pro is my mission control for global travel." – James Taylor Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and why tools equal ROI 01:27 – Maria's automated booking stack: Stripe, Calendly, Zapier, Xero, Zoom 03:05 – Dropbox vs Google Workspace debate 06:25 – Fathom AI meeting notes and cloud backups 08:44 – Kajabi for courses, memberships, websites, and email 11:35 – Scribe for instant SOP creation 13:12 – Tea etiquette and British cultural detour 14:23 – eSpeakers for speaker CRM, contracts, and inquiries 16:08 – Wise for international payments and currency accounts 18:41 – Ecamm Live for virtual keynotes and livestreaming 20:27 – GoFullPage for capturing entire web pages 21:31 – SEMrush for competitive SEO tracking 23:57 – TextExpander for instant productivity gains 26:31 – Scrivener for book writing and keynote creation 28:40 – Pipedrive CRM with email, LinkedIn, and pipeline tracking 31:18 – TripIt Pro for global travel stats and itineraries 34:00 – Wrap-up and future episode on physical gear 👉 Explore more episodes: https://speakersu.com 👉 Suggest a topic or ask a question: hello@speakersu.com

2. 

   5 Dec 2025

   Speaking Business Trends – What's Changing and What's Next #SUP212

   In this forward-looking episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni unpack the key trends shaping the global speaking industry as we head into 2026 and beyond. Maria shares insights from her presentation at the Speaker Summit & Awards on the Future of the Speaking Industry, while James brings field reports from 25 countries — including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the Philippines, and New Zealand — revealing what's really happening in global event markets. Together they discuss where speaking opportunities are growing, which regions are slowing down, the rise of hybrid events, the impact of AI and generative search, and why bookers are demanding greater ROI and customisation from every speaker they hire. Whether you're an emerging or established speaker, this episode will help you stay ahead of market shifts, adapt your marketing, and future-proof your speaking business. Key Takeaways ROI is everything – Bookers expect measurable value and tangible takeaways from every speaker. Stack your value – Offer panels, Q&As, and workshops to increase ROI and referrals. Hybrid events aren't going away – Learn to master both live and virtual audiences. Recording is now standard – Expect to be filmed; be clear on how your footage is used. Customisation is essential – Tailoring your keynote builds trust and repeat bookings. AI tools are reshaping marketing – From James's Taylor-Made AI tool to generative SEO (GEO/AEO), speakers must adapt fast. Bookers are getting younger – They're digital natives searching on social media and ChatGPT. Video expectations are changing – Bookers want full-length clips, not just highlight reels. Industry recovery is uneven – It's a K-shaped comeback: top speakers thrive, many others struggle. Global trends – Middle East (Riyadh-focused), Southeast Asia, and Turkey are hot; Europe and the US are mixed; India is poised to boom. Memorable Quotes "It's not enough to show up and speak — you have to show clear ROI for the booker and the audience." – Maria Franzoni "Stack your value. Go beyond the keynote — moderate, run a panel, do a workshop." – James Taylor "If you're saying no to being recorded, you might not get chosen." – Maria Franzoni "We're moving from SEO to GEO — from search engine optimisation to generative engine optimisation." – James Taylor "You don't need to be on every social platform, but you do need to be where your next generation of bookers are." – Maria Franzoni "Be passionate about your topic. Audiences forgive nerves but never indifference." – James Taylor Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome, party season, and comedy talk 02:52 – Introducing today's theme: Speaking Industry Trends 03:20 – What bookers want in 2026: ROI and added value 06:01 – How James stacks value with workshops and panels 07:59 – Hybrid events: why they're here to stay 10:09 – The rise of recording and licensing considerations 12:26 – Customisation and tailoring expectations 14:53 – Using AI for keynote research and relevance 16:41 – James's new "Taylor-Made AI" keynote customisation tool 17:59 – From SEO to GEO: adapting to generative search 18:59 – Younger bookers and digital-native expectations 21:04 – How bureaus help new planners avoid mistakes 23:12 – The K-shaped recovery in the speaking market 25:41 – Why innovation speakers are struggling and AI speakers are thriving 26:52 – Showreels and video trends: longer, more authentic footage 28:06 – Why TED-style talks are losing impact 29:58 – Digital twins and AI-driven content for speakers 32:38 – Global hotspots: Middle East focus shifting to Riyadh 36:10 – Asia and India's fast-growing opportunities 39:20 – Europe's uneven landscape and UK fee pressures 42:14 – The US outlook, shifting city destinations, and Latin America's rise 44:28 – Wrap-up and call for listener suggestions Resources & Links 💡 Explore more episodes at SpeakersU.com (https://speakersu.com) 📧 Share your questions or topic ideas: hello@speakersu.com

3. 

   28 Nov 2025

   Speaker Showreels – How to Create a Reel That Gets You Booked #211

   In this episode of the SpeakersU Podcast, James Taylor and Maria Franzoni reveal exactly what makes an outstanding speaker showreel — and what mistakes stop speakers from getting booked. Maria, drawing on her years running one of Europe's leading speaker bureaus, explains why a showreel is your movie trailer — and how to hook bookers in the first 30 seconds. She shares her recipe for a perfect reel, complete with examples of her three favourite videos from top professional speakers. James adds insider tips from producing his own showreels, including scripting, storyboarding, and using AI for engagement testing. Together, they cover how to create a showreel when you have little or no footage, how often to update your video, what length performs best, and how to balance style, substance, and storytelling. If you're a professional speaker or aspiring keynoter who wants to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will show you how to create a showreel that truly sells. Key Takeaways Think "movie trailer," not "documentary" – Hook the viewer emotionally and visually in the first 30 seconds. Speak fast, show yourself early – Bookers want to see and hear you immediately, not a montage of others talking about you. Sell the outcomes – Lead with the value and results your keynote delivers. No talking-head testimonials – Keep the focus on you, your ideas, and the audience reaction. Show what you want to sell – If you want big stages, include big-stage shots; if workshops, show intimacy and interaction. No footage? Fake it smartly – Film a staged talk, record to camera, or hire a local venue and bring friends as your audience. Keep it short – Two to five minutes is ideal; if it's longer, it must be exceptional. Refresh every three years – Styles, tech, and your personal brand evolve quickly. Differentiate through tone – Match your video style to your target market — C-suite vs. consumer audiences. Always test and iterate – Storyboards, feedback loops, and even AI tools help refine your reel before launch. Memorable Quotes "A showreel is your movie trailer — make me excited to see the full movie." – Maria Franzoni "Focus on the outcomes first — what the client gets, not what you say." – Maria Franzoni "Your showreel sells the sizzle, not the steak." – James Taylor "You don't need a huge audience — you need great energy and clear messaging." – Maria Franzoni "Style your reel for the buyer: TikTok for agencies, Economist-style for the C-suite." – James Taylor Episode Timestamps 00:00 – 03:30 Catch-up and last-minute client bookings 03:36 Today's topic — Speaker Showreels 04:10 Maria's philosophy: why a reel is like a movie trailer 05:25 Do you need audience shots? When and why they matter 06:56 What to do if you don't yet have speaking footage 08:08 Creative solutions for new speakers — DIY and staged filming 10:38 Examples of speakers who built strong first reels 11:14 Showreel vs full speech vs "How I Work" video 13:01 Using bureau studios and "how I work" clips 13:40 Maria's top 3 showreels (Andrew Davis, James Kerr, Kay Korsh) 15:01 – 17:11 Breakdown of each and what makes them effective 18:09 – 18:35 DIY filming, 4K phones & editing on a budget 20:23 How long should your showreel be? 22:26 Why decision-makers rely on reels — and how fast they judge 23:12 How often to update and refresh your footage 24:43 The power of location-specific photos and clips 25:43 – 27:25 Invitation to submit your showreel for feedback 27:25 – 28:12 Maria's downloadable Showreel Checklist and wrap-up Resources & Links 🎬 Maria Franzoni's Showreel Checklist: mariafranzoni.me/resources 📧 Submit your showreel for feedback: hello@speakersu.com

Who has been a guest on SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ford Saeks
• Pegine Echevarria
• Tony Morris
• Kay Korsh
• Adrian Salisbury

Contact SpeakersU Podcast with James Taylor

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.